Robert Buckland Portrait

Robert Buckland

Conservative - South Swindon

6,625 (13.1%) majority - 2019 General Election

First elected: 6th May 2010


Secretary of State for Wales
7th Jul 2022 - 25th Oct 2022
Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Bill (England and Wales)
2nd Nov 2021 - 3rd Nov 2021
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
24th Jul 2019 - 15th Sep 2021
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
9th May 2019 - 24th Jul 2019
Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
15th Jul 2014 - 9th May 2019
Human Rights (Joint Committee)
11th Feb 2013 - 30th Mar 2015
Committee on Standards: Standards Review Sub-Committee
10th Jun 2014 - 30th Mar 2015
Consolidation Bills (Joint Committee)
6th Dec 2010 - 24th Nov 2014
Consolidation, &c., Bills (Joint Committee)
6th Dec 2010 - 24th Nov 2014
Committee on Standards
7th Jan 2013 - 11th Sep 2014
Committee on Privileges
7th Jan 2013 - 11th Sep 2014
Committee of Privileges
7th Jan 2013 - 11th Sep 2014
Justice Committee
10th Jun 2014 - 8th Sep 2014
Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee)
12th Jul 2010 - 10th Mar 2014
Statutory Instruments (Select Committee)
12th Jul 2010 - 10th Mar 2014
Justice Committee
12th Jul 2010 - 11th Feb 2013
Standards and Privileges
12th Dec 2012 - 7th Jan 2013
Privacy and Injunctions (Joint Committee)
14th Jul 2011 - 12th Mar 2012
Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art
18th Nov 2010 - 8th Nov 2011


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Robert Buckland has voted in 785 divisions, and 30 times against the majority of their Party.

20 Apr 2022 - Nationality and Borders Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 11 Conservative No votes vs 291 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 294 Noes - 242
26 Apr 2022 - Nationality and Borders Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Conservative No votes vs 282 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 288 Noes - 212
14 Dec 2022 - Asylum Seekers (Removal to Safe Countries) - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 4 Conservative No votes vs 67 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 69 Noes - 188
6 Jun 2023 - Committee on Standards - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 28 Conservative Aye votes vs 32 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 185 Noes - 40
14 Jun 2023 - Animals - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 276 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 284 Noes - 14
11 Jul 2023 - Illegal Migration Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Conservative No votes vs 293 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 297 Noes - 231
11 Jul 2023 - Illegal Migration Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 13 Conservative No votes vs 286 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 290 Noes - 242
11 Jul 2023 - Illegal Migration Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Conservative No votes vs 279 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 284 Noes - 242
11 Jul 2023 - Illegal Migration Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Conservative No votes vs 281 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 285 Noes - 243
11 Jul 2023 - Illegal Migration Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 13 Conservative No votes vs 273 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 282 Noes - 234
17 Jul 2023 - Illegal Migration Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Conservative No votes vs 292 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 300 Noes - 212
17 Jul 2023 - Illegal Migration Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 11 Conservative No votes vs 281 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 289 Noes - 220
17 Jul 2023 - Illegal Migration Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 13 Conservative No votes vs 279 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 282 Noes - 227
17 Jul 2023 - Illegal Migration Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Conservative No votes vs 280 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 284 Noes - 226
13 Sep 2023 - Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Conservative No votes vs 267 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 276 Noes - 210
4 Sep 2023 - Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Conservative No votes vs 282 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 294 Noes - 206
4 Sep 2023 - Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Conservative No votes vs 278 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 291 Noes - 209
4 Sep 2023 - Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Conservative No votes vs 285 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 297 Noes - 209
25 Oct 2023 - Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Conservative Aye votes vs 267 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 208 Noes - 274
4 Dec 2023 - Victims and Prisoners Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 22 Conservative Aye votes vs 238 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 246 Noes - 242
18 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 310 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 320 Noes - 251
18 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 311 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 321 Noes - 252
18 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 315 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 324 Noes - 253
18 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 305 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 312 Noes - 255
22 Apr 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 301 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 305 Noes - 234
22 Apr 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Conservative No votes vs 299 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 306 Noes - 229
17 Apr 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 298 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 302 Noes - 244
17 Apr 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 296 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 306 Noes - 240
15 Apr 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 310 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 312 Noes - 253
15 Apr 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Buckland voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 311 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 317 Noes - 246
View All Robert Buckland Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Robert Neill (Conservative)
(40 debate interactions)
David Lammy (Labour)
Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
(36 debate interactions)
Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker)
(35 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Ministry of Justice
(664 debate contributions)
Home Office
(61 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(31 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(24 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Robert Buckland's debates

South Swindon Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petition Debates Contributed

The Government should create an emergency fund to deal with the massive waiting lists for autism & ADHD assessments for children AND adults. This would provide resources for local health services deal with current waiting lists and new patients.

The Government should commission a review of how Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) assessments are managed by the NHS, including through Shared Care Agreements, and increase funding to reduce waiting times.


Latest EDMs signed by Robert Buckland

Robert Buckland has not signed any Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Robert Buckland, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


1 Urgent Question tabled by Robert Buckland

Monday 6th March 2023

3 Adjournment Debates led by Robert Buckland

7 Bills introduced by Robert Buckland

Introduced: 20th May 2020

A Bill to make provision about the sentencing of offenders convicted of terrorism offences, of offences with a terrorist connection or of certain other offences; to make other provision in relation to terrorism; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 29th April 2021 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 8th January 2020

To require the Parole Board to take into account any failure by a prisoner serving a sentence for unlawful killing or for taking or making an indecent image of a child to disclose information about the victim.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 4th November 2020 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 11th February 2020

A Bill to make provision about the release on licence of offenders convicted of terrorist offences or offences with a terrorist connection; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 26th February 2020 and was enacted into law.


A Bill to make provision for Institutes of Technology to apply to receive a Royal Charter; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 6th May 2022
Introduced: 15th October 2019

A has been called and Parliament is no longer sitting. The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before . This means the Bill will make no further progress. To require the Parole Board to take into account any failure by a prisoner serving a sentence for unlawful killing or for taking or making an indecent image of a child to disclose information about the victim.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 15th October 2019

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to require the Secretary of State to record certain statistics relating to people receiving treatments for mental health conditions; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 17th December 2013

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to require the Secretary of State to make a referral to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to develop and publish quality standards for autism spectrum disorders; and for connected purposes

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 24th May 2011

Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
1 Other Department Questions
21st Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to her Department's consultation entitled Developing a tourist accommodation registration scheme in England, published on 29 June 2022, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her polices of the Visitor register scheme used in the Netherlands.

A call for evidence on developing a tourist accommodation registration scheme in England was held between June and September 2022, and received almost 4,000 responses. Respondents were asked, amongst other questions, to provide insights or evidence on the impact of schemes or approaches that are already in place elsewhere in the world.

The findings of the call for evidence have indicated that there is a case for light-touch regulation of the sector, and therefore the Government is introducing a registration scheme for short-term lets through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. The exact details of how the scheme will operate will be explored through a public consultation which will be published shortly. Where appropriate, schemes that have already been implemented in other countries such as in the Netherlands may be considered as we develop the details of how the scheme in England will be designed.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
20th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department is taking steps to provide incentives to potential investors in the critical mineral extraction industry.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Alan Mak
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)
21st Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what her planned timetable is for the signing of a UK-India trade agreement.

Progress has been made on negotiating a free trade agreement with India, closing the majority of chapters and making headway on the outstanding issues. Only the most complex issues remain open, with talks focused on goods, services, and investment.

The Government remains focused on securing a deal in the best interests of the British people and economy. It has always been about the deal and not the date.

Officials are expected to continue talks during India's pre-election period.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
9th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she is taking to support sustainable investment in Southern Africa; and if she will publish a sustainable investment plan for Southern Africa.

The UK’s Economic Partnership Agreements with southern African countries and the UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme enable trade and promote development. UK Export Finance supports the region with billions of pounds of finance or insurance cover available for projects involving UK suppliers. The Prime Minister has announced that he will host the second UK-African Investment Summit in 2024, which will help UK businesses secure sustainable investment into the region and maintain the UK’s position as the leading investor in Africa.

The Government’s plans for sustainable investment in developing economies is set out in the International Development Strategy.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
27th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the implementation of the Developing Countries Trading Scheme in Africa on the UK's renewables industry; and what plans she has for developing partnerships between UK companies working in renewables and their African counterparts.

The Developing Countries Trading Scheme supports the UK renewables industry by allowing duty-free imports on everything but arms from 33 Least Developed Countries in Africa.

In addition, the UK Global Tariff allows duty-free imports of raw materials such as cobalt, nickel and graphite from all countries, including those in Africa.

We are supporting partnerships between UK and African firms in renewables. Through the Africa Energy Forum in June, we brought together UK investors and exporters and African governments in renewables and the 2024 UK Africa Investment Summit will further develop commercial partnerships including in renewables.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
6th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he plans to launch the Alternative Funding scheme for people without a domestic electricity meter.

The application portal, (and accompanying contact centre helpline for those without online access), for the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF) will open for all eligible households without a relationship to a domestic electricity supplier in England, Scotland, and Wales by 27 February. The EBSS AF for Northern Ireland is also due to launch in February, with details to be released in due course.

20th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps the Counter disinformation unit has taken to help X tackle QAon disinformation on its platform.

In October 2023 the Counter Disinformation Unit became the National Security and Online Information Team (the NSOIT). The name more accurately reflects the team’s revised remit and function, which is to tackle the greatest national security risks facing the UK from mis and disinformation, specifically looking at threats posed by foreign states, risks to elections and from the use of AI and deepfakes. This revised remit is kept under regular review.

NSOIT’s remit does not include working with individual platforms to tackle mis or disinformation from certain individuals or groups. In specific circumstances, the NSOIT may share online material with platforms where it is in line with ministerial steers, is on an issue within the team’s remit, and where the content appears to be in breach of the platform’s terms of service. Social media platforms decide whether or not content is a breach of their terms of service and, if so, what action to take.

Saqib Bhatti
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
8th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of malign actors imitating the interfaces of reputable sources on public trust in digital content.

It is a key priority of this government to preserve the integrity of our democratic processes and safeguard the public from interference by malign state and non-state actors, including through AI-enabled threats and manipulated media.

The Online Safety Act will tackle illegal disinformation and misinformation including state-sponsored disinformation via the Foreign Interference Offence, including deepfakes and other forms of manipulated media. This means that companies will have a legal duty to take preventative action to identify and minimise their users’ exposure to state-linked interference with UK society. Such content will need to be swiftly removed, requiring tangible action against state-backed attempts to undermine our democratic, political and legal processes.

In addition to our regulatory approach, the DSIT National Security Online Information Team (NSOIT) analyses attempts by foreign states to artificially manipulate the online information environment. The NSOIT works with social media platforms to support and encourage them to put in place policies that are fit for purpose, consistently enforced, and which respect freedom of expression.

Saqib Bhatti
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
8th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she has had recent discussions with her Australian counterpart on the proposed Misinformation and Disinformation Bill in that country.

Ministers and officials from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology meet regularly with counterparts from other countries to share our experience and expertise and to develop common approaches to online safety. We work closely with the Government of Australia and recently signed a memorandum of understanding setting out our intention to promote regulatory coordination and jointly deliver online safety and security policy to support our citizens.

The UK government has already delivered world-leading legislation via the Online Safety Act, which captures misinformation and disinformation where it constitutes illegal content or content which is harmful to children, and which forces the largest platforms to remove misinformation and disinformation prohibited under their Terms of Service.

Saqib Bhatti
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
8th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to encourage investment in the UK artificial intelligence sector.

The UK’s AI market is valued at over $21 billion and is estimated to grow to over 1 trillion by 2035. Recently we have seen the largest investment ($1 billion) into a UK AI start-up (Wayve), with several AI companies opening their European headquarters here. Google and Microsoft have recently announced plans to invest $4.2 billion in the UK, demonstrating confidence in the UK’s approach to AI. To encourage further investment, we host the annual Global Investment Summit, we have tax incentives available for AI companies, and we are delivering £1.5bn of investment into compute, all of which will strengthen our position as an attractive place to invest.

Saqib Bhatti
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
21st Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how she plans to promote research into new models of (a) assessment and (b) support.

The government’s November 2023 ‘Response to the Independent Review of the RDI Organisational Landscape’ announced the creation of a new Metascience Unit, jointly run across the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), with an initial funding commitment of £10m. The unit will deliver a competitive grants programme and will also conduct experiments to test and robustly evaluate the effectiveness of changes in the funding processes delivered by UKRI.

This programme of work is intended to generate evidence on more effective ways of funding and supporting scientific research.

Andrew Griffith
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
5th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle digital astroturfing on social media.

The Government recognises the range of tactics which could be employed to spread mis- and disinformation and the threat that these can pose. DSIT’s National Security Online Information Team (NSOIT) analyses coordinated attempts to artificially manipulate the online information environment, working with a range of partners, including social media platforms, civil society groups, academia, and international partners, to tackle it.

Digital astroturfing, amongst other techniques sometimes used by state actors to interfere with UK society, will be captured by the Foreign Interference Offence. This has been added as a priority offence in the Online Safety Act and will capture a wide range of state-sponsored disinformation and state-backed operations. Companies will have a legal duty to take proactive action to prevent users from encountering material that amounts to an offence of Foreign Interference, which could include content linked to digital astroturfing, and minimise how long any such content is present on their services.

Under the Act, Ofcom’s Disinformation Advisory Committee is empowered to conduct research and build understanding on mis- and disinformation related issues, which may include the threats posed by digital astroturfing. In addition, Ofcom’s updated statutory duty to promote media literacy includes specific duties to raise the public’s awareness of how to keep themselves and others safe online, including by understanding the nature and impact of mis- and disinformation. This could include initiatives related to specific malicious tactics.

Saqib Bhatti
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
24th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether British companies will have access to European Innovation Council funding for solutions to (a) bias and (b) discrimination in AI systems following the UK's re-admission to Horizon.

UK applicants will be able to participate in the full Horizon Europe programme and UK entities are eligible to receive grant funding through all instruments of the European Innovation Council. The UK is not part of the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund – which provides equity finance support to EIC Accelerator projects.

24th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether representatives from (a) the Government and (b) British industry will attend the European AI, Data and Robotics Forum on 8 and 9 November 2023.

Given the proximity of the Safety Summit to the European AI, Data and Robotics Forum on 8 and 9 of November, the Government will not be sending any Ministers or officials to the event. However, both UK Government Ministers and officials participate in European technology-focused events, with an SCS-led official delegation attending the IAPP (International Association of Privacy Professionals) Europe Data Protection Conference this November, which will seek to facilitate our EU data objectives.

20th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing broadcasters to use verified fact checkers during the media blackout period on election days.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
25th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals in the next parliamentary session to put the new Digital Markets Unit in the Competition and Markets Authority on a statutory basis.

The Government consulted on our proposed approach to a new pro-competition regime, overseen by the Digital Markets Unit, last year. The consultation closed in October, and we are carefully considering the responses. We will set out the final design of the regime in our response shortly, and will introduce legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
25th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals in 2022 to provide the Digital Markets Unit with full statutory powers.

The Government consulted on our proposed approach to a new pro-competition regime, overseen by the Digital Markets Unit, last year. The consultation closed in October, and we are carefully considering the responses. We will set out the final design of the regime in our response shortly, and will introduce legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
25th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what (a) legislative and (b) regulatory steps the Government is taking to enable UK news publishers to negotiate for fair payment by technology companies for the news content that they generate.

Newspapers play an invaluable role in the fabric of our society and the government is committed to considering all possible options in the interest of supporting the sustainability of the press. As society continues to move online, the news publishing sector is facing significant challenges in transitioning to sustainable digital business models. As part of this, we are aware of concerns about the effect of the power and position of some online platforms when dealing with news publishers, as identified by the Cairncross Review.

The government set out its proposals for a new pro-competition regime for digital markets in a public consultation in July 2021. The regime will drive a more vibrant and innovative economy across the UK. In line with codes proposed in the Cairncross Review, the regime’s conduct requirements will improve competition and transparency and so make an important contribution to the sustainability of the press. We have also sought advice from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and Ofcom on how the regime would govern the relationship between platforms and content producers including news publishers. No final decisions have been made.

A consultation response will be published in due course and we will legislate to put the regime on a statutory footing as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
21st Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the time taken to make an autism assessment on educational attainment.

I refer my right hon. Friend, the Member for South Swindon, to the answer of 25 March 2024 to Question 18946.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
29th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the progress that has been made since the publication of the SEND and AP Improvement Plan; how many additional education psychologists have been employed by local authorities and; how many additional teachers have undertaken SENCO training since the publication of that plan.

Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) frequently require access to additional support from a broad specialist workforce across education, health and care. To support this, the department has completed the following:

  • Since May 2022, the department has supported 135,000 professionals to access autism awareness training developed by the Autism Education Trust through the £12 million Universal services training programme.
  • In January 2024, the department announced a new initial teacher training and early career framework that includes new and updated content on SEND to ensure teachers have the skills and confidence to support all children.
  • The department is providing free training to up to 7,000 early years Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) to boost understanding of SEND in early years, and increase early identification and collaborative working with parents, carers, and other professionals. As of December 2023, 5,200 people had already registered for their training.
  • The department is investing over £21 million to train 400 more educational psychologists from September 2024. This builds on the £10 million currently being invested in the training of over 200 educational psychologists who began their training in September 2023.
  • In August 2023, the department confirmed that a new National Professional Qualification for SENCOs will replace the existing National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordinators (NASENCO) qualification from Autumn 2024. This will ensure SENCOs receive consistent high quality, evidence-based training. The department does not hold data regarding the number of professionals who have undertaken the NASENCO qualification since March 2023.
David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
29th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Department's publication entitled Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) Improvement Plan, published in March 2023, what progress she has made on developing digital requirements for Education, Health and Care Plans.

The department is working with local authorities and suppliers to deliver a digital project to digitise the Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan process for England. The department started this project in summer 2023 to understand what role digitisation should play in the EHC plan process, and the potential longer-term benefits of digital solutions.

The department launched a second project phase in October 2023. This helped the department to understand the benefits, barriers, and limitations of the digitisation of the EHC plan process. This phase resulted in recommendations.

The department launched a third project phase in February 2024 to test the recommendations, which are due to be shared with local authorities and the wider sector this month.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
16th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the withdrawal of CPLA-linked funding in British universities on local economies.

Higher education (HE) providers are autonomous and therefore responsible for ensuring they have adequate governance and risk management procedures in place. The department expects the HE sector to be alert to risks when collaborating with any international partners.

The government’s International Education Strategy makes clear that the internationalisation of the HE sector cannot come at any cost. A key element of that strategy is diversification. Universities must ensure they have appropriate processes in place to manage risks associated with dependence on a single source of funding, whether that is from a single organisation or a single country.

The Office for Students (OfS), the regulator of HE in England, monitors the risk of over-reliance on overseas income at a sector level. The role of the OfS is not to direct how HE providers manage themselves or to limit their recruitment from a particular country of origin, but to ensure they understand where there is greater reliance and how any risks are being managed, and to take action to protect students from the consequences of unmanaged financial risk, if necessary.

6th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of universities accepting funding from entities linked to the Chinese People's Liberation Army on academic freedom.

The Integrated Review Refresh, which this government published in March 2023, sets out in clear terms the UK’s policy towards engagement with China and Chinese entities.

Higher education (HE) providers are autonomous institutions and are responsible for ensuring they have adequate governance, risk management procedures and policies in place, including on the acceptance of donations. HE providers will also have their own due diligence procedures which should consider reputational, ethical and security risks.

The department expects the HE sector to be alert to risks when collaborating with any international partners. Guidance published by Universities UK advises HE providers how to engage in international collaborations safely and securely. This guidance also includes a recommendation that due diligence should be conducted on all international partnerships and it is available here: https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/what-we-do/policy-and-research/publications/managing-risks-internationalisation.

The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 will ensure that HE providers in England have the tools they need to deal with interference with, and threats to, freedom of speech and academic freedom wherever they originate. The Act will enable the Office for Students to monitor the overseas funding of registered HE providers and their constituent institutions and student’s unions, and to take appropriate action. Provisions in the Act dealing with overseas funding are expected to come into force from 1 September 2025.

9th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to take steps to increase the availability of Religious Education teacher training courses.

Religious education (RE) is an essential part of a school’s curriculum and remains a compulsory subject in all state funded schools, including academies, to all pupils up to the age of 18. RE develops an individual’s knowledge and understanding of the religions and beliefs which form part of contemporary society, as well as serving to inform their own values and behaviour.

The department is offering a £10,000 bursary for RE trainee teachers starting Initial Teacher Training courses in the 2024/25 academic year. The department has published this information on the ‘Get Into Teaching’ website and will be marketing the offer to prospective teachers through other channels.

The mandatory Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Core Content Framework (CCF) sets out a core minimum entitlement for all trainees of what should be covered during their teacher training. While all ITT courses must encompass the CCF in full, it remains for accredited ITT providers to design their full course curricula in a way that is appropriate to the needs of trainees and for the subject, phase, and age range that the trainees will be teaching, which for some ITT courses, would include religious education training.

To be awarded Qualified Teacher Status, trainee teachers must demonstrate that they satisfy all of the Teaching Standards at the appropriate level, including Part Two of the standards, which requires all teachers to demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and professional behaviour.

The department has publicly committed to reviewing the ITT CCF and Early Career Framework (ECF) alongside each other. Building on lessons learned from the first few years of CCF implementation and ECF delivery, the department plans to revise the CCF and ECF into a more closely combined framework, or set of frameworks, which cover the first three years or more at the start of a teacher’s career articulating what trainee and new teachers need to know and need to know how to do.

This underpins a joined-up sequence of training and development over at least the first three years of new teachers’ careers to support them at the start of their new career. The department aims to ensure that what new teachers learn across these early years of their career delivers continuous, coherent and complementary learning for all trainees and new teachers, and provides the confidence and skills for a lifelong career in teaching.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
19th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support schools to make adjustments for children and young people on the waiting list for an autism assessment.

I refer my right hon. Friend, the Member for South Swindon to the answer of 25 September to question 199770.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
6th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans her Department has to improve swimming rates among primary school children.

Swimming and water safety are compulsory in the primary National Curriculum for Physical Education (PE) and Sport.

The PE and Sport Premium can be used by primary schools to support swimming and water safety lessons, including funding teacher training and additional swimming lessons for pupils not able to meet National Curriculum expectations after their PE and Sport lessons. On 8 March 2023, the Government announced a total of over £600 million across the next two academic years for the PE and Sport Premium.

The Department also provides up to £300,000 a year to a consortium grant to improve opportunities for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities to take part in PE and Sport. This includes a focus on swimming and water safety. A new inclusion hub on the Swim England website has been created to provide resources for schools and swimming teachers.

A range of swimming and water safety resources and guidance documents have been developed by sector organisations and are available online for teachers and parents.

23rd Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help ensure that the reforms to the SEND system make it easier for parents to get an assessment for their children.

In May 2022, the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) Green Paper set out the government’s assessment of the challenges the SEND and AP system faces, including assessments and education, health and care (EHC) plans.

In March this year, the government published its proposals to deliver improvements through developing reformed templates and guidance to deliver a nationally consistent EHC plan process, which makes greater use of digital technology, with the aim to increase consistency and the speed with which support is put in place.

The government continues to support local authorities, with their core budgets increased to £60 billion for the next financial year. Local authorities have the flexibility to spend according to local needs and priorities, including undertaking EHC needs assessments.

Claire Coutinho
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
9th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to reduce the drop out rate of neuro-divergent apprentices.

Apprenticeships offer great opportunities for people of all backgrounds to get the skills that they need to begin, or progress in, a rewarding career. The department recognise that apprenticeship achievement brings huge advantages in terms of future earnings and employment prospects, and we are committed to supporting more learners who have declared a learning difficulty or disability (LDD) to start and achieve apprenticeships.

The department is working with the Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network to explore the barriers that disabled apprentices face in accessing and achieving apprenticeships. The Network published its latest annual report in February 2023, which contains useful information for employers to help them better support apprentices with LDD and can be found at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1135471/ADCN_Annual_Report_2022_to_2023.pdf.

In addition, our Disabled Apprentice Network, in partnership with Disability Rights UK, provides valuable insight and evidence on how to attract and retain people with disabilities into apprenticeships. The Network’s latest annual report considers what works well for disabled apprentices based on their experiences and will help government, employers and training providers to improve how apprenticeships are delivered. The department has also improved it’s Find an Apprenticeship service, to allow people to identify Disability Confident Employers offering opportunities.

In addition, the department continue to pay employers and providers £1,000 when they take on apprentices under 25 years old with an education, health and care plan, and provide monthly financial support to providers to help them make reasonable adjustments for eligible apprentices with LDD.

The department is also taking a broader range of actions to drive up apprenticeship quality and achievements for all apprentices, including neuro-divergent apprentices.

We are supporting employers through our Employer Quality Roadmap which provides guidance on what employers need to be doing at each stage of the apprenticeship, and Ofsted will be fully inspecting all apprenticeship providers by 2025. A new exit feedback tool has also been launched for apprentices who have withdrawn, alongside a new feedback tool for existing apprentices to provide feedback on their training provider. The department will use this feedback to inform further improvements.

22nd Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she expects to publish the full response to the Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) green paper consultation before the Easter recess.

The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) Green Paper consultation closed in July last year. The department is currently reviewing the feedback received and using this, along with continued engagement with the system, to inform the next stage of delivering improvements for children, young people, and their families.

The department will be publishing a full response to the paper in an Improvement Plan imminently.

We will continue to support the system in the immediate term to deliver change, and to improve the experience and outcomes for children and young people with SEND and those who need AP.

Claire Coutinho
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
28th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department plans to gather information about the number of education professionals who have training on autism.

The department does not hold or plan to gather information on the number of education professionals who have training specifically on autism.

Once teachers qualify and are employed in schools, headteachers and school staff use their professional judgement to identify any further training, including specific specialisms, for individual staff that is relevant to them, the school, and its pupils. Schools do not report information to the department on additional specialist training of this nature. However, all teachers are teachers of students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and we are committed to ensuring that all pupils can reach their potential and receive excellent support from their teachers.

Consideration of SEND underpins both the initial teacher training (ITT) core content framework (CCF) and early career framework (ECF), which were both produced with the support of sector experts.

ITT courses must be designed so that teacher trainees can demonstrate that they meet all of the Teachers' Standards at the appropriate level, including the requirement in Standard 5, that all teachers must have a clear understanding of the needs of all pupils.

The government invested £74 million into the first year of our new National Autism Strategy, published in July 2021 and extended to children and young people for the first time. It aims to improve the lives of people with autism, for example through improving access to quality education. We will publish our second implementation plan this year.

In February, the department announced funding which includes nearly £12 million for the new Universal Services contract, to deliver SEND-specific continuing professional development to the school and further education workforce. This will help schools and colleges to support children and young people with SEND, including autism, and includes specific support on the needs of autistic children and young people.

27th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the level of risk to bird life in the British Antarctic Territory following the discovery of Avian Influenza on the continent; and whether the Government plans to take steps to mitigate that risk.

We receive regular reports from the British Antarctic Territory on the status of suspected avian influenza cases.

We provide support to the region and other British Overseas Territories proactively, to rapidly test for, track and monitor progression of disease spread and impact in Southern Oceans/Antarctica. This includes working with others to define risk.

National Antarctic programmes have protocols in place to manage and mitigate the spread of outbreaks and best practice on reporting and biosecurity standards is also shared through International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) and the Commission for the Conservation Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
24th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) reduce food waste at farms and (b) support farmers to ensure that surplus food is redistributed.

The Government supports a thriving, productive and efficient farming sector that prevents waste occurring in the first place. For instance, we are supporting investment in productivity-boosting equipment, technology and infrastructure through the Farming Investment Fund. This provides grants to farmers, foresters, and growers (including contractors to these sectors) that will help their businesses to prosper, while improving their productivity and enhancing the environment.

We acknowledge that more can be done to reduce food waste in the primary production stage. The ‘fair dealings’ powers contained in the Agriculture Act 2020 can be used to prevent these kinds of unfair trading practices where they occur, as we are aware that unreasonably late cancellations or specification changes can sometimes lead to produce being unharvested. Last year we launched two new supply chain fairness reviews, looking into the egg and fresh produce supply chains, and building on what we have already got underway to improve transparency and contracts in the pork and dairy markets. The review into the egg supply chain closed on 22 December, and the review of the fresh produce supply chain will close on 22 February. We will publish a summary of responses within 12 weeks of each consultation closing.

The Government works closely with businesses through our delivery partner the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to overcome any barriers to redistribution. This includes the development of guidance and best practice through a sector wide working group, and support for the Target Measure Act approach to understanding and acting on food waste in supply chains, including the redistribution of any surplus should it arise and is supported by the National Farmers Union. Where the NFU stands on food waste – NFUonline

Since 2018, Defra funding of nearly £13 million has supported both large and small redistribution organisations across the country to increase their capability and capacity.

The total amount of food redistributed in the UK in 2022 was over 170,000 tonnes and a value of around £590 million, an increase of 133% since 2019.

Mark Spencer
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
21st Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the time taken to make an autism assessment on employment rates.

There are no plans for DWP to make this specific assessment. Whilst we recognise the importance of early identification of autism, a diagnosis is not required to be eligible for reasonable adjustments and the provision of workplace support. These are made, in line with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010, based on functional need.

We are, as you know, encouraging employers to adopt more neuro-inclusive working practices, which benefit neurodiverse employees irrespective of whether they have a diagnosis.

The SoS and I were delighted to see the launch of your excellent Review into Autism Employment on the 28th of February, which has created a focus for action to improve the recruitment and retention of autistic people. It has identified workplace barriers, and the working practices and initiatives that can reduce them, to create a more inclusive working environment for autistic employees and autistic jobseekers.

We now look towards supporting how the 19 recommendations in the report can be implemented to encourage a more neuro-inclusive culture in the workplace.

This is supported by Disability Confident, our scheme to increase employers’ understanding of how to recruit, retain and support disabled employees and the Support with Employee Health and Disability online service which guides employers through health and disability scenarios at work, including making reasonable adjustments.

Mims Davies
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
5th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Access to Work claims for the cost of employment coaches for supported interns were (a) approved and (b) unpaid on 5 February 2024; and if he will make an assessment of the total value of these claims.

The information requested about Access to Work claims for employment coaches for supported interns is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

However, Access to Work statistics include how many applications result in provision being approved from 2007/08 to 2022/23. Please see Table 3 of the Access to Work statistics.

The latest Access to Work statistics can be found here.

Mims Davies
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
5th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average time was for Access to Work claims for the costs of employment coaches for supported interns to be paid in the latest period for which data is available.

The information requested about Access to Work payment journey times for the cost of employment coaches for supported interns in the latest period is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

However, the Access to Work statistics includes number of people who received a payment for any Access to Work provision from 2007/08 to 2022/23. Please see Table 6 of the Access to Work statistics.

The latest Access to Work statistics can be found here.

Mims Davies
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
5th Dec 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Government is taking to help integrate neurodiversity into working (a) practices and (b) culture in the (i) public and (ii) private sector.

We know that neurodivergent people bring many positive benefits to businesses and therefore understand the importance of encouraging employers to adopt more neuro-inclusive working practices.

The Secretary of State and Tom Pursglove (former Minister for Disabled People) are very grateful for the work you have been leading on the Review into Autism Employment, which has been exploring working practices or initiatives which can reduce stigma and create a more inclusive working environment for autistic and neurodiverse employees in the public, private and voluntary sectors. We look forward to the publication of the report early in 2024, and then to working with you, with employers, and with stakeholders to implement the recommendations from the report and encourage a more neuro-inclusive culture in the workplace.

We are also supporting employers via Disability Confident to increase their understanding of how to recruit, retain and support disabled employees and those with long term health conditions. The scheme provides employers with the skills and knowledge to remove barriers that might be preventing disabled people, neurodivergent people and those with long term health conditions from accessing employment and allows them opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

Paul Maynard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
5th Dec 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Government is taking to encourage industry to foster a more inclusive working environment for neurodivergent people.

We know that neurodivergent people bring many positive benefits to businesses and therefore understand the importance of encouraging employers to adopt more neuro-inclusive working practices.

The Secretary of State and Tom Pursglove (former Minister for Disabled People) are very grateful for the work you have been leading on the Review into Autism Employment, which has been exploring working practices or initiatives which can reduce stigma and create a more inclusive working environment for autistic and neurodiverse employees in the public, private and voluntary sectors. We look forward to the publication of the report early in 2024, and then to working with you, with employers, and with stakeholders to implement the recommendations from the report and encourage a more neuro-inclusive culture in the workplace.

We are also supporting employers via Disability Confident to increase their understanding of how to recruit, retain and support disabled employees and those with long term health conditions. The scheme provides employers with the skills and knowledge to remove barriers that might be preventing disabled people, neurodivergent people and those with long term health conditions from accessing employment and allows them opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

Paul Maynard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
20th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make an estimate of the number and proportion of working-aged adults that receive adult social care that are (a) self-funded and (b) funded by their (i) local authority and (ii) Integrated Care Board.

Data from the adult social care short and long-term collection shows that, as of 31 March 2023, 258,940 people aged 18 to 64 years old were receiving long-term support commissioned via, although not necessarily funded by, their local authority. The Department does not hold data centrally on working age adults who are self-funded, or on integrated care board funded care for working age adults.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
20th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make an estimate of the number and proportion of working-aged adults that have not received adult social care following an approach to their local authority in the last 12 months.

A total of 611,590 adults aged between 18 and 64 years old made requests for social care support in 2022/23. Of these, 216,135, or 35.3%, did not receive support from their local authority. Local authorities are responsible for assessing individuals’ care and support needs and, where eligible, for meeting those needs. Where a person is assessed as having eligible care and support needs, the local authority should then carry out a financial assessment to determine what they can afford to contribute towards the cost of meeting their care need. Where individuals do not meet the eligibility threshold, they can get support from their local authorities in making their own arrangements for care services, as set out in the Care Act 2014.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
8th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure public (a) safety and (b) clarity in the healthcare roles of (i) physician associates and doctors and (ii) other NHS staff.

The introduction of regulation by the General Medical Council (GMC) will provide a standardised framework of governance and assurance for the clinical practice and professional conduct of Anaesthesia Associates (AAs) and Physician Associates (PAs), and make it easier for employers, patients, and the public to understand the relationship between these roles and that of doctors.

Whilst statutory regulation is an important part of ensuring patient safety, it is also achieved through robust clinical governance processes within healthcare organisations, which are required to have systems of oversight and supervision for their staff.

NHS England is working with the relevant professional colleges and regulators to ensure the use of associate roles is expanded safely and effectively, and that they are appropriately supported, supervised, and integrated into multidisciplinary teams. NHS England has written to trusts to remind them of their responsibilities in this area, with further information available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/ensuring-safe-and-effective-integration-of-physician-associates-into-departmental-multidisciplinary-teams-through-good-practice/

We are clear that AAs and PAs are not, and should never be, referred to as medical practitioners, doctors, or consultants. It is the responsibility of professionals and their employers to ensure professional titles are used appropriately. As set out in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidelines, all healthcare professionals directly involved in a patient's care should introduce themselves and explain their role to the patient. The GMC has published interim standards for AAs and PAs in advance of regulation, which make it clear that professionals should always introduce their role to patients and set out their responsibilities in the team.

Andrew Stephenson
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
3rd May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help support hospital radio stations.

Hospital radio can provide National Health Service patients and visitors with a positive experience at a time when they are feeling vulnerable. NHS trusts work locally with volunteers and organisations to provide this service. Decisions about supporting the service are made most appropriately at a local level.

Andrew Stephenson
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
26th Apr 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of NHS England’s Dynamic Support Register policy.

NHS England published updated policy and guidance on Dynamic Support Registers (DSRs) and Care (Education) and Treatment Reviews (C(E)TRs) on 25 January 2023, for implementation from 1 May 2023. The purpose of the updated policy and guidance is to help ensure that people with a learning disability and autistic people get the right support, to stay well in their communities.

NHS England produced the updated policy and guidance following a process of reviewing the learning since the inception of DSRs and C(E)TRs, including consultation and engagement with people with lived experience. This process included drawing on the findings of the Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board’s review of the deaths of Joanna, Jon, and Ben at Cawston Park in Norfolk, and the subsequent safe and wellbeing reviews for all people with a learning disability and autistic people in mental health hospitals.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
22nd Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to ensure the national allocation of funding for adult social care reflects (a) the number of autistic adults and (b) their potential level of need.

Public spending on adult social care is funded from both local Government revenue and central Government grants and therefore has to be viewed as part of the wider local Government funding settlement. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is responsible for the financial framework within which local Government operates and for ensuring the sufficiency of local Government funding.

Central Government grants for adult social care are largely distributed using the Adult Social Care Relative Needs Formulae, which are developed by independent researchers to reflect differences in councils’ need for local authority funded social care, to ensure councils funding reflects the relative level of need in their area. These formulae account for a range of factors including population, income and wealth, levels of impairment and availability of unpaid care support.

Local authorities have discretion over how to use their funding to meet the needs of their local population, including those of autistic adults.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
22nd Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions she has had with NHS England about reducing waiting times for children and young people’s access to (a) community paediatric services, (b) occupational therapy and (c) speech and language therapy.

The Department holds regular meetings with NHS England on timely access to community health services. Addressing waiting times is a priority for both the National Health Service and the Department. In 2023, NHS England asked local systems to develop plans to reduce community waiting lists.

NHS England is working to improve community health services data to better understand waiting lists and identifying actions to reduce waits, including consideration of new pathways to improve effectiveness and productivity.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
22nd Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will take steps to change funding incentives to help ensure that funding follows need for the right support in the community for autistic adults.

The Health and Social Care Committee’s report, The treatment of autistic people and people with learning disabilities, included recommendations in relation to assessing the costs of care and support, and redesigning financial incentives in the healthcare system, for people with a learning disability and autistic people. The Government response to the report and position on the recommendations was published 27 July 2022.

In the response, we noted the wide range of capital and revenue funding sources and the range of support that a person may draw on from multiple services. This makes an assessment of costs practically challenging. The response set out that we are clear there must be credible alternatives to inpatient care so that people can live independent, fulfilled lives in their community, without financial incentives or disincentives which prevent this from happening.

To improve our understanding of funding flows, including any financial incentives or disincentives, the Department commissioned an independent specialist consultancy firm, RedQuadrant, in September 2021 to undertake a rapid review of funding flows associated with Building the Right Support. The work concluded in March 2022 and a report was published in July 2022.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
22nd Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make an estimate of the cost of (a) confining autistic adults in mental health hospitals and (b) meeting needs in the community.

The Health and Social Care Committee’s report, The treatment of autistic people and people with learning disabilities, included recommendations in relation to assessing the costs of care and support, and redesigning financial incentives in the healthcare system, for people with a learning disability and autistic people. The Government response to the report and position on the recommendations was published 27 July 2022.

In the response, we noted the wide range of capital and revenue funding sources and the range of support that a person may draw on from multiple services. This makes an assessment of costs practically challenging. The response set out that we are clear there must be credible alternatives to inpatient care so that people can live independent, fulfilled lives in their community, without financial incentives or disincentives which prevent this from happening.

To improve our understanding of funding flows, including any financial incentives or disincentives, the Department commissioned an independent specialist consultancy firm, RedQuadrant, in September 2021 to undertake a rapid review of funding flows associated with Building the Right Support. The work concluded in March 2022 and a report was published in July 2022.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
22nd Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans she has to update the Building the Right Support action plan.

There are no current plans to update the Building the Right Support Action Plan as this is a live document and contains a number of commitments which are due to complete after March 2024.

The Building the Right Support Delivery Board continues to monitor both the implementation of the action plan and the relevant data to drive progress on reducing the number of people with a learning disability and autistic people in mental health inpatient settings, identifying new actions and mitigations as appropriate.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)